Spain’s Socialists ‘convinced’ new government deal is near

FILE – In this file photo dated Tuesday, July 2, 2019, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a media conference during an EU summit in Brussels. It is announced Friday July 19, 2019, that Sanchez is ready to create a coalition government with the United We Can party, so long as its leader, Pablo Iglesias, is not part of the future Cabinet. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, FILE)

MADRID (AP) — The No. 2 in Spain’s Socialist Party says she is optimistic caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will strike a last-minute deal with the far-left United We Can party to form a coalition government before next week’s confidence vote.

Adriana Lastra, the Socialist Party’s vice general secretary, said Saturday that she was “convinced” an agreement will be reached.

The Socialists had said negotiations with United We Can were going nowhere until its leader, Pablo Iglesias, ceded on Friday to their demand to not seek a seat in the Cabinet.

Sánchez would still need other parties’ support for an absolute majority of the 350-member Parliament on Tuesday.

If he fails, another vote would take place Thursday where the bar is lower and Sánchez would just need more “Yes” than “No” votes.

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